Introducing two new standards under the Policy on Green Procurement

The Centre for Greening Government has published two new standards under the Policy on Green Procurement. These standards aim to reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and transition to net-zero carbon and climate-resilient operations by 2050. 

The Standard on Embodied Carbon in Construction

According to this new standard, as of December 31, 2022, if you are bidding on construction tenders:

• you may be required to disclose the embodied carbon associated with the use of concrete in the project
• you may be required to propose a 10% reduction in the embodied carbon footprint of concrete in the project

The tender documents will contain instructions on how and where to include the disclosure information.

Learn more about the Standard on Embodied Carbon in Construction (or Standard on Embodied Carbon).

The Standard on the Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Setting of Reduction Targets

According to this new standard, beginning April 1, 2023, if you are bidding on a requirement with an estimated value over $25 million:

• there may be evaluation criteria or other instructions in the solicitation or contract documents related to measuring and disclosing your company’s GHG emissions 
• you may be requested or required to join one of the following initiatives to submit a bid, offer or arrangement or if you are awarded the contract:
  • Canada’s Net-Zero Challenge  
  • the United Nations Race to Zero
  • the Science-based Targets Initiative
  • the Carbon Disclosure Project
  • the International Organization for Standardization
• you may be required to provide other evidence of your company’s commitment and actions toward meeting net-zero targets by 2050

Learn more about the Standard on the Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Setting of Reduction Targets (or GHG Disclosure Standard).

What does this mean for businesses? 

It is important to read the solicitation and contract documents carefully to determine what is required for individual procurements. The information you will be required to submit as part of the bid, offer, arrangement or contract documentation may vary depending on whether you are providing goods, services, or construction and on the method of supply and length of the contract.

Stay tuned for more information

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) will make additional information related to these standards available in spring 2023. We’re also developing a new Green Procurement website to be launched in summer 2023. 

You can also learn more about: 

• the Centre for Greening Government
• the Policy on Green Procurement
• Canada’s Net-Zero Challenge  
• the United Nations Race to Zero
• the Science-based Targets Initiative 
• the Carbon Disclosure Project
• the International Organization for Standardization